The traditional education system was built around schools, colleges, academies and universities. But in the present scenario, online learning system which earlier started to provide education to children with disability, working professionals, advance placement programs and test preparation etc., approaching mainstream education. Web based tools are now used to expand the online system and managing the process of schedule, providing books, tests and teacher-student conversation. Web based system is now present in every area: schools, colleges, universities, training centers and corporate education.

For the last two decades online education has brought significant changes in the traditional education system. We have begun to understand the potential of online learning. A 2010 U.S. Department of Education study concluded that “students who took all or part of their classes online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.” (Quote source: goo.gl/HdhzI)

The emergence of online learning in the past few years has grown so much that many schools and universities have become global institutions. Students and teachers both have given positive feedback about online learning experience. They can share their diverse ideas and opinion in front of their virtual global classroom via various online tools. It has also been found that students get engage more in online courses in compare to regular courses. Various reasons due to which the online education is growing are as follows:

Students living in the places where education system is less developed, want to study from a renowned university can study via online.

It’s also a wise option for somebody who can’t relocate due to many reasons but want a higher qualification.

Working people who want to get higher education for career growth but can’t give up their job, can study via online while continue to work.

It’s a good option for a physically disabled person and for some body who had to give up studies.

This medium of education is not so costly.

It is flexible so students can study according to their time.

It provides the benefit of anytime anywhere study, online access and interaction.

“I think online learning is going to be transformative. Traditional education is never going to be the same again; it has already changed. Those traditional institutions that embrace these new technologies can improve education drastically.” says Anant Agarwal, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and president of edX, a leading provider of massive open online courses, known as Moocs. (Comment source: goo.gl/8wVUQ)

At edX they believe that everybody should have access to the high-quality education. Technology is applied to improve the educational quality. With the use of internet technology, education has become accessible to many people. Instant feedback can be given and query can be solved. Students can rewind the lectures, hit the pause button when they have some work and even mute the lecturer while reading the study material. Online education has indeed transformed the way traditional education was perceived.

World renowned universities from UK are now offering various kinds of distance learning online courses to students who reside in ‘educationally’ backward countries like Nigeria. Due to political disturbances, the educational infrastructure of Nigeria is weak and damaged. However, students from these countries can now study in college without having to cross borders. Distance learning courses offered by UK Universities are preferred by most students as online UK degrees are recognised globally.

Image Courtesy: goo.gl/qDy13

Here is a look at few of the courses that are provided by UK Universities and their features.

If you want to study Law so that you can get a better understanding of legal principles, you can take this three year course and earn your LLB. Since this is a part-time course, you can also finish it in six years. The students should have three ‘A’ level passes, which are good or equivalents. Also, they must have an IELTS score of at least 6.0 if their first language is not English.

For a degree in Finance, a student needs, two good ‘A’ level passes or an equivalent, they should complete an Access Programme (or an equivalent) and get at least 6.0 in their IELTS if English was not their first language. This course will help students develop skills in financial accounting.

For a degree in Business the requirements are more or less the same as the Finance course. The course will help them acquire good skills in business disciplines, along with the understanding and application. These courses can be completed in three to six years.

For a degree in Marketing, again, the requirements are more or less the same as the Finance course. The course will help the students develop proper understanding of marketing strategy and planning and marketing communication. Again, the course can be finished in three to six years.

For a degree in Graphic Design, students require two good subjects in their A Levels or GCE or they should complete their Access Programme. A score of 6.0 in IELTS if first is not English. Work experience is required if qualifications are not met and should provide sample of their creative work.

The qualification criteria in all subjects vary from college to college but these are the basic features of online UK University courses. Post graduation courses are also provided by some universities but eligibility criteria must be met.